Wardsmithite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Wardsmithite
Formula:
Ca5Mg[B4O7]6 · 30H2O
Colour:
Colourless, white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
1.85 - 1.88
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named after Ward Cromwell Smith (6 February 1906, St. Louis, Missouri, USA - 25 June 1998, Cupertino, California, USA), geologist, U.S. Geological Survey who worked with borates.
Co-Type Localities:
This page provides mineralogical data about Wardsmithite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4243
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4243:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
362ca011-7e39-4e37-8950-91d7467345f0
IMA Classification of Wardsmithite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca5Mg(B4O7)6 · 30H2O
Approval year:
1967
First published:
1970
Classification of Wardsmithite
6.H0.25
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
26.7.7.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
9.3.24
9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Wsm | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Wardsmithite
Pronunciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Wardsmithite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{001}, good.
{001}, good.
Density:
1.85 - 1.88 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Wardsmithite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.490(2) nε = 1.476(2)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.014
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Chemistry of Wardsmithite
Mindat Formula:
Ca5Mg[B4O7]6 · 30H2O
Crystallography of Wardsmithite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Morphology:
anhedral with platy habit
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d. Z = n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
13.5 Å | (100) |
12.3 Å | (62) |
6.12 Å | (55) |
4.721 Å | (42) |
2.744 Å | (26) |
7.73 Å | (22) |
2.918 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Wardsmithite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
fine grained nodules
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 136414, 147955, 147956.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
weathered veins of colemanite and priceite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Erd, R.C., J.F. McAllister & A.C. Vlisidis (1970) Wardsmithite 5CaO•MgO•12B2O3•30H2O, a new borate mineral from the Death Valley region, California: American Mineralogist: 55: 349-357.
Synonyms of Wardsmithite
Other Language Names for Wardsmithite
German:Wardsmithit
Spanish:Wardsmithita
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
6.H0.05 | Chelkarite | CaMgB2O4(Cl,OH)2 · 5H2O Or near, with Cl:OH = 3:1 |
6.H0.10 | Braitschite-(Ce) | (Ca,Na2)7(Ce,La)2B22O43 · 7H2O |
6.H0.15 | Satimolite | KNa2(Al5Mg2)[B12O18(OH)12](OH)6Cl4 · 4H2O |
6.H0.20 | Iquiqueite | K3Na4Mg(CrO4)B24O39(OH) · 12H2O |
6.H0.35 | Halurgite | Mg4[B8O13(OH)2]2 · 7H2O |
6.H0.40 | Ekaterinite | Ca2(B4O7)(Cl,OH)2 · 2H2O |
6.H0.45 | Vitimite | Ca6[B14O19](SO4)(OH)14 · 5H2O |
6.H0.50 | Canavesite | Mg2(HBO3)(CO3) · 5H2O |
6.H0.55 | Qilianshanite | NaHCO3 · H3BO3 · 2H2O |
Fluorescence of Wardsmithite
none
Other Information
Notes:
insoluble in methyl alcohol, is very slightly soluble in cold water, slightly soluble in hot water, and readily soluble in cold dilute acids.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Wardsmithite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4243.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Wardsmithite
Localities for Wardsmithite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Mexico | |
stratigraphy et al. (4) +1 other reference | |
USA (TL) | |
| www.mineralsocal.org. +1 other reference |
Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 241 & 243. +3 other references | |
| Erd et al. (1979) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 243. +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout WardsmithiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Ryan, Furnace Creek Mining District, Inyo County, California, USA